MEXICO CITY RAISES FARE ON SUBWAY

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico City residents reacted with only an occasional grumble Friday to the first increase ever in the capital's subway fares -- a jump of 2,000 percent -- but the ride is still the cheapest in the world.

Authorities increased the cost of a ride on the Mexico City Metro from 1 peso, or slightly less than one-sixth of a cent, to 20 pesos, slightly over 3 cents, in order to cut back on costly subsidies the debt-strapped government can no longer afford. Bus and trolley fares also rose to 20 pesos.

Commuters took the increase in stride, with only a few grumbles.

"I think it's fair," said one man, who did not want to give his name. "The Metro is a giveaway even now. It had to go up."

One woman accompanied by her three children said the increase would cause her hardship.

"For us it's difficult," she said. Instead of paying 4 pesos for herself and her children, as of Friday, she had to pay 80 pesos.

The price increase, the first since the Metro was opened in 1968, created considerable confusion among commuters over which tickets to use in the turnstiles.

Commuters can now buy yellow tickets good for one ride or blue two-week commuter coupons, which must be placed in special turnstiles to avoid losing them.

"There are some problems because people sometimes make mistakes," said Marcelo Sanchez, a police officer working at the Hidalgo Metro station, a busy downtown transfer point.

The new fares came in force only hours after four tires blew out on a Metro car, filling the underground Juarez station with choking smoke and causing 35 people to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Thousands of commuters on their way home for work were forced to use alternate routes.

Many people, including Metro employees, have complained the subway administration has cut corners on maintenance on the nearly 60 miles of Metro lines and the French-designed Metro cars. City hall has denied the charges.

Even with Friday's price hike, the Metro is cheaper to ride today than it was 17 years ago when 1 peso equaled 8 cents.